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Caleb Wilson’s 24-Point Outburst Defies Bulls’ Losing Streak
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- Caleb Wilson’s 24-Point Outburst Defies Bulls’ Losing Streak
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
It is hard to cheer for a team that sits at 1-6, yet the Chicago Bulls have found a reason to watch their games. Rookie Caleb Wilson is averaging 22.5 points per game after a rough opening night. This number ranks second among all rookies in the league, a stat that stands out even in a season where the team has lost five straight games.
Wilson scored 24 points in Monday night's loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, proving he can carry the offense when others struggle. According to The Loyola Phoenix, the 22-year-old forward is now third among rookies in rebounds and second in blocks. His ability to score at least 15 points in every single game this season shows a consistency that fans rarely see from first-year players.
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A Frenetic Style That Masks Flaws
The Bulls play with a speed that makes even bad games fun to watch. Chicago leads the entire league in pace with a 105.5 rating, which is two points higher than the Miami Heat. Head Coach Tiago Splitter has built a system that relies on athletic forwards who get the ball in their hands early. This approach means players like Wilson, Matas Buzelis, and Leonard Miller get to shoot more than usual.
The team ranks fourth worst in the league for turnovers because they often lose control of the ball. Per The Loyola Phoenix, this frenetic energy masks some of the team's uglier qualities, but it is still a better choice than watching a slow, lifeless team.
Jalen Smith's Value in a Rough Season
While Wilson grabs headlines, veteran Jalen Smith is playing his way into a major role. Smith has appeared in seven games and averages 12.1 points alongside 8.6 rebounds per contest. He is shooting 47.8% from the field, though his three-point percentage sits at 27.8% on over five attempts a game. Pippen Ain't Easy reports that Smith's screening and defense make him a player the Bulls should want to keep.
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Smith is only 26 years old and is on an expiring contract worth just over $9.4 million this season. Once the deadline approaches, he might be sought in a trade, yet exchanging him for anything below elite worth would be an error. The team needs to decide if they can retain him this summer, as he will enter unrestricted free agency if they keep him through the deadline.
The Bulls face the New York Knicks on Wednesday night in their next matchup. Even with a 1-6 record, Wilson has developed and Smith has played steadily.
